Been having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? It might not be caffeine, electronic device use, or stress keeping you up.

It could be sleep apnoea, a condition that causes heavy or disrupted breathing while asleep.

What is sleep apnoea?

“Laugh and the world laughs with you. Snore and you sleep alone.”
― Anthony Burgess

Symptoms include feeling unrested after sleep, low energy and excessive snoring. It is caused by the muscles in the mouth, tongue, and throat blocking the airway, resulting in a lack of oxygen in the blood and therefore a restless sleep.

People with sleep apnoea are usually unaware of the fact they stop breathing during sleep, but sleep apnoea can lead to numerous, more serious conditions, such as memory loss and an increased risk of heart failure. (There is no risk of choking).

Who does sleep apnoea affect?

Sleep apnoea affects an estimated 6% of the New Zealand population and around 940 million people worldwide. Anyone can be affected, but the primary sufferers are obese or overweight people (around 70% of people diagnosed are classified as obese). Simply put, the healthier you are, the less chance there is of having the condition.

Among the 16,000 adults in New Zealand suffering from sleep apnoea, the vast majority of them are male.

How to spot sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea’s biggest symptom is broken or irregular breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnoea can have oxygen cut off for any period of time from 10 seconds to up to a minute. Other symptoms include restless sleep, waking up at irregular times of the night, loud or unusual snoring, and exhaustion while awake.

A simple visit to the doctor can usually get a diagnosis based on these symptoms listed, followed by a referral to a sleep center if necessary.

Treatments

The main remedy for sleep apnoea is exercise and a healthy diet. Obesity is the main cause of sleep apnoea, so maintaining a healthy weight is the most effective treatment. Changing your sleep position can also benefit your sleep and reduce symptoms. There are multiple bits of headgear, nose plugs, and plates for your mouth that you can purchase and wear at night to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnoea. These treatments can range from simple nasal congestion strips to a chin restraint to wear at night or while sleeping.

At Simply Dental we recommend a balanced approach to well-being, including a healthy, varied diet, good daily hygiene practices, and regular dental checkups.

Speaking of which, when did you last have a check-up? Click here to book online.